Dog owners urged to act as toxic autumn problem sparks £2,000 emergency

As autumn takes hold, experts are warning dog owners to steer clear of these common seeds – as they can be deadly.

With summer coming to an end, you’ll likely notice the first conkers starting to drop amid the falling leaves. But while these glossy brown nuts evoke a seasonal nostalgia and are even the subject of a traditional playground game, experts are warning they could spell danger for dogs.

Though the shiny brown seeds of horse chestnut trees may look harmless, inside they actually contain a potentially deadly poison, known as aesculin. This toxin can make even the healthiest pet violently ill, and just one conker can trigger vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, and crippling stomach pain. In severe cases, dogs can suffer tremors, collapse, or even die.

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Even worse, the danger doesn’t end there. These hard round nuts are the perfect size to become wedged in a dog’s throat or intestines, creating a life-threatening blockage that often requires emergency surgery.

With millions more conkers set to fall throughout September and October, experts are urging owners to be vigilant. Otherwise, a harmless walk in the park could end in a trip to the vets or, worse still, a tragic incident.

Michael Nelson, dog expert and director of leading outdoor kennel provider Kennel Store, issued a stark warning as the first seeds start hitting the ground.

He said: “Conkers are far from harmless. They’re toxic, they can choke a dog in seconds, and if one gets stuck in the gut it may require major surgery. We want every owner to understand that something as ordinary as a conker can turn into a deadly hazard very quickly.”

Vets warn that late August and September mark the beginning of their busiest season for poisoning cases, as parks and pavements become littered with fallen seeds.

Emergency treatment can mean stomach pumping, overnight care, intravenous drips, and even major surgery. Bills can end up costing more than £2,000.

Michael added: “No dog owner wants to face a terrifying emergency vet trip, let alone the stress of a four-figure bill. The safest thing you can do is stop your dog picking up conkers in the first place, don’t let them play fetch with them and keep them on a lead near horse chestnut trees.”

So, what are the warning signs of conker poisoning? Dog-owners need to watch out for symptoms such as excessive drooling, vomiting or diarrhoea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain or restlessness, and weakness, tremors or collapse.